Johnny Depp and I have little in common. Last month, however, I was prescribed the sort of blue-tinted glasses that he has been wearing for years.

Contrary to popular belief, these are more than a fashion accessory. “Everything is just very, very blurry [without them],” he told Rolling Stone magazine in June. “I’ve never had proper vision.”

Depp has not revealed the precise health reason for the blue tint. In my case, though, it is to address Meares-Irlen syndrome, more commonly known as “visual stress”.

For years, I was unable to look at certain computer screens and mobile devices without dizziness, discomfort, nausea and shooting eye pain. Visits to opticians and ophthalmologists came to nothing. I tried the usual advice – taking regular breaks, adjusting my screen and so on – but nothing helped. The only workaround was to use particular computers made before 2007.

Eventually, I learnt of visual stress, and made an appointment with Simon Barnard, a specialist in the field, at the Barnard Levit optometrists in London.

This syndrome is triggered by particular visual patterns, including printed text, he says. But it is still not fully understood, the most common theory being that sufferers have a hypersensitive visual cortex (part of the brain that processes visual information).

“In response to certain wavelengths of light, the visual cortex generates too much electrical activity,” says Barnard. “This spills over into different areas of the brain, causing a variety of possible symptoms. Colour filters cut out problematic wavelengths and calm things down.”

About 10 per cent of people with dyslexia are thought to have visual stress. It can also be found in those with autism, ADHD, migraine, photo-sensitive epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, as well as stroke victims.

I have none of the conditions listed above. But when Barnard showed me a particular arrangement of horizontal lines, it appeared to shimmer – a key indicator of visual stress.

After an eye examination to rule out other problems, I placed my head in a machine called an Intuitive Colorimeter. A paragraph of text was displayed and a spectrum of different coloured lights was applied. When it came to a particular shade of blue, things felt more comfortable.

I was given lenses of this colour, and held them in front of my eyes while reading from a screen. The symptoms disappeared. A pair of coloured glasses was made up, and I have worn them every day since (pictured). My visual stress has gone, no matter which screen I use.

It is impossible to explain why only certain screens affect me and why this particular shade of blue helps. Other sufferers benefit from different colours such as red or green.

Only about 80 optometrists in Britain have an Intuitive Colorimeter, which was developed by Prof Arnold Wilkins of the University of Essex. It is the only machine able to specify the precise tint of colour that sufferers need. A “colour consultation” fee is normally around £75 – in addition to the standard eye exam and prescription.

“This treatment is available on the NHS in Scotland, but generally not in England and Wales,” says Prof Wilkins. “A successful double masked trial is required before it is fully accepted.”

Dr Susan Blakeney, clinical adviser to the College of Optometrists, says there is “good evidence” behind the treatment. “We have guidelines for its use on our website,” she adds.